San Bernardino and the Roadrailer Train in Tales of the Jointed Track

ROADRAILER were the “new” technology. What is a ROADRAILER ?, it was a truck trailer, equipped with a set of railroad wheels on the back. They were tucked under for highway use, but could be extended, after being under air, and readied for railroad applications.

There was a “bogie” that mated to the locomotive consist, then the trailers were positioned and “coupled” to each other. The Locomotive consist, would be then coupled to the “ROADRAILER ‘s”, and the train line and main reservoirs hooked up. The trailers after being hooked up to the locomotive consist, would charge up. After the air pressure was within limits, the railroad wheels would deploy, raising the “road wheels” off the rail, by one foot. The railroad wheel set would be the rolling and supporting feature for each trailer.

The Santa Fe / BNSF was trying to garner new premium business, using this. This train featured refrigerated unit equipped ROADRAILER trailers for agriculture. Inland Empire produce from southern California.

The BNSF had a presentation, and drummed up business. Trial runs were made and then the PREMIER SHOW. A Q-SBDCHI was going to be operated, with 35 ROADRAILER units. Everybody, who was anybody, with the Railroad and the Shippers were there, to monitor this train, its progress, its on time record and delivery. The shippers were paying premium rates and the railroad was to deliver as promised.

Power was brought down from Barstow, 2 C-44’s, 8800 HP, more than enough to handle. Phone calls and wires sent, ad nausea. Everyone was to be cut in. PERIOD!! It was on the conference calls, memos wires, briefings, how could you miss it.

San Bernardino, CA Q-SBDCHI9:

D-Day, its ready, its on duty, AND ITS IS EN ROUTE.

The phone rings, it’s the day trainmaster, Lorenzo Daniels, at San Bernardino.

“NOC Bob”. “Hi Lorenzo at San Bernardino, we need 2 switch engines”. HMMM, Okay Lorenzo, why do you need 2 more switchers, nothing shows bad order. “What is wrong did two go belly up on ya?” “No, they left on the Q-SBDCHI9 train.” FUCK, REALLY, THIS IS A BAD DREAM. “Tell me Lorenzo this is a joke” “Oh no, I had to use them”. “Really ? after we sent two units down to cover, 12 hours previous”. “Well we got busy, overlooked the locomotives, and didn’t get them over to the “A” yard in time, so not to delay the train, I sent this out with these two GP units”. “Good job Lorenzo!!, every swinging dick and or … is watching this train. and to compound the problem, no event recorder…it is now restricted to 30 mph, maximum speed. That’s a good career move on your part, I’ll deal with you later”.

First move … I call Barstow DSF (Diesel Service Facility), it is Aaron Adams. “Aaron were screwed, the Q-SBDCHI9, I need two units ready, 6 axle power, lead qualified”. “What happened to the two we sent down?” “They are still in San Berdoo, and they sent it out with two no event recorder GP’s“. “NO” “Yes get something ready, lemme know, let the tower know”.

Second move .... I run over to the Corridor Superintendent and the Chief Dispatcher. “Whats up” “Well, get ready, Q-SBDCHI9, San Bernardino just sent it out with two GP’s and no event recorder”. “Right, Shoe, yer fucking with us”. “I wish, Barstow DSF has been notified to relay power on arrival”. Silence, pale faces, … yeah I feel the same. Obscenities, and here go the phones…

Third move .... I let the Manager know. Wide Eyes…and the blank “REALLY” look. I told who was notified and in what order. “I’ll follow up”..

They were ready at Barstow, a crew called and on the replacement locomotives 3 hours ahead. Power relayed and an air test. Out of “Dodge” and on the way, 35 minutes delay, and 1 hour behind. Slowly time was made up. It arrived six minutes ahead of schedule. This train equaled or excelled the 199, in priority. Too close, much too close, and the ball was dropped out of the origination terminal.

We, the “teams’ made it work…NOC , Dispatchers, Field, crews…etc

I need a beer when I get off ....

Last updated December 09, 2014